Permanent residence

Skilled Workers

This is the program that attracts and admits the largest number of economic immigrants. There are several selection processes depending on the province in which the immigrant wants to settle: a federal selection process for immigrants wishing to settle anywhere in Canada except Quebec, a provincial process, the Provincial Nominees, allowing provinces and territories (except the province of Quebec) to “nominate” or select their own nominees (the final decision as to selection and admissibility to the territory rests with Canada, however), and finally, a selection process put in place by Quebec aimed exclusively at immigrants wishing to settle in this province.

In general, the selection criteria for admission into one of the federal or provincial programs are based on occupation, level of education, ability to communicate in English or French, work experience, characteristics of the spouse and the presence of children if applicable.

• Canadian Experience Class (CEC) : Established in 2008, this program allows qualified and highly skilled temporary foreign workers to apply for permanent residence and obtain a quick response.
  This recent program aims to retain “talented and motivated individuals who (…) have the ability to contribute to the economy and will easily integrate into Canadian life.” (Quote: Citizenship and Immigration Canada).

• The Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) : This is an immigration program set up by the province of Quebec, and targeting two categories of people: on the one hand, foreigners who have studied in Quebec ( work experience in Quebec after obtaining the diploma is also required) and, on the other hand, foreigners who have held a full-time job in Quebec for at least 24 of the 36 months preceding the selection request, job held corresponding to a position of category A, B, or even 0 of the National Professional Classification (CNP). Depending on whether the immigration candidate is a graduate student from Quebec, or a temporary worker, he will have to meet certain conditions in order to obtain a Quebec Selection Certificate. In both cases, candidates for immigration must intend to settle in Quebec.
  The main advantage of this immigration program is its speed and simplicity.

Business people

Three categories of business people must be distinguished : self-employed workers, entrepreneurs and investors.

• Self-Employed : Immigration programs for self-employed are for workers who intend to create their own job in Canada. Depending on the province in which the worker wishes to settle (Quebec or elsewhere in Canada), the selection criteria may differ.
• Entrepreneurs : Immigration programs for entrepreneurs are aimed at experienced businessmen and women who intend to become active owners or managers of a Canadian business that contributes or will contribute to job creation and the prosperity of the Canadian economy. Several provincial immigration programs exist, with different selection criteria. In general, the provincial programs include several components and target creators of innovative businesses or creators or takeovers of non-innovative businesses that already exist in Canada.
• Investors : For the moment, the federal investor immigration program is closed and only the province of Quebec has maintained an immigration program for investors quite similar to the one that existed at the federal level. Thus, in Quebec, foreign investors are required to have a net worth of at least 2,000,000 Canadian dollars, obtained legally, and to be ready to invest 1,200,000 Canadian dollars for a period of 5 years, after which their investment will be returned to them without interest. Investors must intend to settle in Quebec. In addition, candidate investors must have management experience of at least two years.
• Federal Business Start-Up Program : This program targets immigrant entrepreneurs who have the skills and capacity to establish businesses in Canada that (1) are innovative; (2) create jobs for Canadians and permanent residents of Canada; and (3) have the ability to compete in the global marketplace. To participate in this program, the immigrant must have a qualifying business, obtain a letter of support from a designated organization, meet language requirements, and have enough money to settle and live in Canada before the business can bring in money (about $13,310 for a single person).

Do not hesitate to contact us if you would like more information on provincial programs aimed at business people (self-employed workers, entrepreneurs and investors).

Sponsorship (family reunification)

This program allows a Canadian or a permanent resident to bring family members living abroad to Canada by sponsoring their applications for permanent residence. This category covers the spouse, de facto spouse, conjugal partner, dependent children, parents and grandparents, adopted children or children in the process of adoption, of a Canadian or a permanent resident. Some other family members may also be sponsored under special circumstances.